What we need to know about dense breasts: implications for breast cancer screening

Abstract

High breast density and its relationship to the risk of breast cancer has become a hot topic in the medical literature and in the lay press, especially in the United States, where it has brought about changes in the legal framework that require radiologists to inform clinicians and patients about breast density. Radiologists, who are mainly responsible for this information, need to know the scientific evidence and controversies regarding this subject. The discussion is centered on the real importance of the risk, the limitation that not having standardized methods of measurement represents, and the possible application of complementary screening techniques (ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, or tomosynthesis) for which clear recommendations have yet to be established. We need controlled studies that evaluate the application of these techniques in women with dense breasts, including the possibility that they can lead to overdiagnosis.

Keywords: Breast density; Cribado con ecografía; Cribado con resonancia magnética; Cribado con tomosíntesis; Densidad mamaria; Legislación; Legislation; Riesgo de cáncer; Risk of de cancer; Screening with magnetic resonance imaging; Screening with tomosynthesis; Ultrasound screening.

Copyright © 2016 SERAM. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.